Houblon Des Obeaux made all the running for Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman in the totepool Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton.

In what looked on paper to be a red-hot renewal, several others were preferred in the market to Houblon Des Obeaux, who went off at 9-1 despite having been impressive when scoring on his debut over fences at Worcester.

Measuring his fences with accuracy, the five-year-old benefited from the jumping deficiencies of Aegean Dawn (unseated rider second) and Court In Motion (bad mistake middle fences down back) to come home four and a half lengths clear of Poungach, who rallied to catch Court In Motion for second.

Coleman said: "That was super. We were a bit worried there wasn't going to be a lot of pace and he wants further, so I had to pop out and make it. He jumped for fun and will do even better over a longer trip. If he carries on along this path he could be an RSA Chase type."

Coral gave the winner a 25-1 quote for the RSA at Cheltenham next March.

Miss Milborne (13-2) took the spoils in a Bet totequadpot Test Tote To 89660 Mares' Handicap Hurdle, in which five of the 10-strong field were line-abreast approaching the final flight.

Winning trainer Jamie Snowden said: "All being well she'll run next in a mares' Listed race at Kempton in a fortnight."

Kings Lad helped make it a red-letter week for Colin and Joe Tizzard when he floored 2-7 favourite Mr Mole in the Bet totescoop6 Text Tote To 89660 EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Fresh from their Haldon Gold Cup triumph with Cue Card at Exeter, the father and son trainer/jockey combo can do little wrong and Kings Lad (5-1) defied connections' belief that he would improve for the outing.